‘My mum says I’m not working class any more!’: Olivia Cooke on power, privilege, and dividing audiences in House of Dragon
‘My mum says I’m not working class any more!’: Olivia Cooke on power, privilege, and dividing audiences in House of Dragon
My mum says I m not working - House of the Dragon has become a cultural phenomenon, captivating millions of viewers across two seasons of intricate storytelling and dramatic tension. As a prequel to the groundbreaking series Game of Thrones, it has woven a narrative steeped in political intrigue, personal betrayal, and the haunting majesty of dragons. Yet, for Olivia Cooke, the star of the show as the scheming Alicent Hightower, the journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. In a casual yet revealing interview in London, amidst a stormy summer afternoon, Cooke reflects on the unexpected reactions from her family, the challenges of her career, and the nuanced role she embodies.
The Binge-Watch Dilemma
Cooke, 32, is sipping from a bottle of neon-colored juice as we chat. “Tell me if my teeth go purple,” she says, half-joking. Her father, however, had a different take on the series. The actor recalls a text message from her dad: “It’s raining outside, so I’m starting a binge-watch.” She pulls up a photo of a TV screen, the first season of House of the Dragon loaded and ready. “I was like, great, Dad, worked on it for six years, hope you like, kiss kiss.” The father’s reply, though brief, carried a simple sentiment: “Yes, I like it. Quite violent.” Yet, the critique hinted at a deeper disconnect, as if the show’s intensity had transformed her from a working-class girl into a high-profile star.
“He said: ‘Raining outside, so starting a binge-watch.’”
Her father’s plan to watch another episode after picking up her nephew from school revealed a quiet acknowledgment of her hard work. But the family’s perspective on her career path has evolved, as if the fame has shifted their view of her origins. For Cooke, this transition has been both a personal and professional milestone, one that she now embraces with a mix of pride and humor.
From Oldham to Global Fame
Cooke’s journey to stardom began in Oldham, a working-class town in Greater Manchester, where she grew up with a deep-rooted connection to her roots. At 18, she made the bold move to Vancouver, joining the cast of Bates Motel, a spin-off of Psycho that marked her first major step into the entertainment industry. The experience, though formative, was accompanied by a few years of restless energy in New York, where she navigated the city’s fast-paced world with a mix of ambition and frustration. “I had a lot of busy but unhappy years there,” she admits, before returning to London just before the pandemic struck. Even during the pandemic, she found solace in Belfast, where she filmed Pixie, a project that brought a sense of clarity. “I realized: ‘Oh my God, I don’t have to beat down my sense of humor any more,’” she recalls, highlighting a pivotal moment in her career.
The Power of Alicent Hightower
House of the Dragon has been a transformative experience for Cooke, especially as she portrays Alicent Hightower, a character whose complexity has sparked both admiration and controversy. The series, based on George RR Martin’s Fire & Blood, unfolds the tumultuous history of the Targaryen dynasty, a saga of power struggles and moral ambiguity. At the heart of the narrative is Alicent’s relationship with Rhaenyra Targaryen, her childhood friend and eventual rival. Their bond, once unbreakable, becomes a source of tension when Alicent marries Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys, securing her place as queen. This decision sets off a chain of events that defines her character’s arc, from a strategic ally to a formidable adversary.
“I don’t think she really has time to reflect on how she is feeling inside,” Cooke says, addressing Alicent’s emotional landscape. “She’s constantly navigating power, privilege, and the weight of her choices.”
Season one introduces Alicent as a woman who, despite her ambitions, is bound by the expectations of a patriarchal society. Her children, born from the union with King Viserys, become symbols of her status, while her rivalry with Rhaenyra intensifies. By season two, the stakes are higher as Alicent launches a war to claim the Iron Throne, only to face a dramatic turning point in the finale. There, she surrenders her son to Rhaenyra, a gesture that underscores her transformation from a figure of oppression to one of compromise. As season three approaches, the character’s internal conflict continues to unfold, leaving fans divided in their interpretations.
Divided Responses and Queer Relevance
The character of Alicent has become a focal point for discussions about power dynamics, particularly among queer women and non-binary viewers. Cooke notes that the character’s evolution has resonated with a broader audience, offering a lens through which to examine societal structures. “Alicent is a product of the patriarchy,” she observes, highlighting the ways in which her choices are shaped by gendered expectations. Yet, the character’s journey toward independence has sparked a new conversation about her relatability. “In season one, her marriage to the king was orchestrated by her father, but recent episodes show an unravelling of everything she’s learned. She’s becoming liberated, in a sense,” Cooke explains. While she acknowledges that Alicent isn’t explicitly queer, she sees a parallel in the character’s struggle to assert her autonomy.
“I don’t want this to come across as ‘Woe is me,’ because I’m very grateful for the job,” Cooke says, careful not to overstate her emotions. “But to field insults when you’re just walking down the street…”
Her response to criticism has been both resilient and lighthearted. “I sort of laugh and say: ‘Well, you can delete that picture,’” she shrugs, illustrating the ease with which online vitriol can be dismissed. However, the reality of being targeted in public spaces is more complex. “It can be quite vitriolic at times,” she adds, reflecting on the personal toll of such scrutiny. The comments range from dismissive remarks to harsh critiques, often delivered in the same moment as a casual photo taken with her.
Detaching from the Spotlight
Cooke’s decision to delete her Instagram account six months ago underscores her desire to distance herself from the relentless focus of social media. The platform, she explains, had become a space for comparing her younger self to her current image. “I was sick of seeing 21-year-old looksmaxxers being like: ‘If you follow a program, this is what you can do,’” she says, pointing to the way algorithm-driven content distorts perceptions of beauty and success. The side-by-side pictures of a man at 14 and his adult self, she notes, perpetuate an unrealistic standard of transformation. “It’s a lot. It’s very navel-gazy, and it distorts your mental image of yourself,” she admits, describing the pressure to maintain a certain aesthetic.
Despite the challenges, Cooke’s work in House of the Dragon has cemented her place in the industry. Her performance as Alicent, a character who embodies both strength and vulnerability, has earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Yet, the series has also highlighted the broader themes of class, gender, and ambition that have shaped her own experiences. From her early days in Oldham to her current role as a leading lady in a high-budget fantasy epic, Cooke’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the complexities of identity in a world that often demands conformity.